But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice.
Phil 1:18
The transition seen in verse 18 is remarkable. Paul shows the strength of his character in being able to keep the main thing in focus. Despite the fact his fellow Christians are using their preaching to attack him, seeking to take over his ministry, he rejoices in the fact that Jesus and the Gospel are preached. The Greek conjunction [plēn] is used to introduce this segment. [Plen] is an adversative conjunction or particle which cuts off the intent in one direction and diverts the argument in another direction. It could be translated “but”, “however”, “only”, “in any case”, “despite that”. The idea is that Paul has cut off the last topic of discussion and is moving on in a different direction or topic which has a different tone or purpose. He is breaking off that discussion and is taking this discussion in a new and more important direction. “Nevertheless while that may be the case let’s look at it from this point of view. . .” Despite the fact these preachers with ulterior motives are arrayed against him and he is in prison or under house arrest, Paul switches gear to what is more important. He finds something to rejoice about in the midst of what was meant to annoy him. Irrespective of their motives and false words he rejoices in something more important.
Paul’s Rejoices in a Greater Expectation
And I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honour to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.
Phil 1:19-26
Rejoice! Yes I will rejoice in this . . . Paul’s thoughts pass from the present to what is in store for him in the future. The culmination and fulfilment of his salvation and his place with Christ for the rest of eternity. Wow, Paul shows his strength of purpose here; his single mindedness. It is like he has gone back to the song based around Phil 1:6. (Go back to the clip of the song I gave you and sing it again.) Paul is focused on the end point, the culmination of his salvation in Christ and knowing the Philippians would be praying for him enables him to get things in perspective.
I met a guy in the lift last week who was going to the top floor and he looked sad and burdened. I felt to say to him, “You have a good day today.” His response to me was, “I can’t see that happening, I am going to work.” I said, “That doesn’t matter. Don’t let anyone else ruin your day. Keep your eye on the good things in the day and make the most of it. Don’t let anyone else’s bad attitude pull you down.” His final retort as I got out of the lift on my floor was, “Nah, I don’t think that positive attitude stuff works. It’s just gonna be a crappy day.” Then he saw the fact that I was getting out on the MissioNZ floor and added “Oh, yeah” in a scoffing tone. I thought how sad that he can’t see things from Jesus’ or Paul’s perspective.
Holding on to the big picture and what’s in store for us in eternity gets us through any crap we might encounter here and now. It worked for Paul in prison, it worked for holocaust victims in Auschwitz, it can work for you and me. “All that aside, nevertheless I will rejoice and continue to rejoice . . . because you are praying for me and the Holy Spirit is helping me, resulting in my ultimate deliverance; release from this body of death into the Life of the Age to Come. My eager expectation is that I won’t be ashamed but I will continue to be bold for Christ as I have been in the past. I entrust myself to Christ in life or death.”
You know where I got those words from; from above! No, not from God above but from Paul above, from his quote above. But friends I am not just quoting Paul. I believe it with every atom of my being. A number of people have made comments about the things I quote over the years of writing Gems and Nuggets. One person even wrote, “Ian, I loved that quote that you included in the Gem today. I am making that my own mantra. I have it printed on the bathroom mirror in big letters so I can see it every day and learn to recite it.” [If that is the case I trust you laminate it or it will drip off your wall.] Friends, whatever quote you take a liking to and even add to your bathroom mirror won’t make a scrap of difference to your life until it becomes part of your raison d’ĂŞtre; your motivation for living.
I find the timing of this Gem remarkable and I hasten to add I didn’t plan it. It is another of those God orchestrated moments that I should be writing this Gem today after sending the Nugget about the salvation of 900 Sh**te men two days ago and this week I will be writing the Nugget about a remarkable resurrection from the dead. Dear Reader, it is not a matter of hanging on to some clever quote from a man or woman. It’s about hanging on in faith to the Christ, God’s Messiah, predicted and prophesied from ages past, who has come once and will be coming again. Yes, hanging on to Him, the Alpha and the Omega, with every ounce of strength and focus I can muster in order to stay faithful to him, fully convinced that He is able to perfect His work in me until the day He comes again. Now that is keeping the BIG PICTURE in mind. Knowing that when the time for my final breath comes I will be taken directly into Life Eternal – the Life of the Age to Come. The restoration of the Life God intended when He first created humans back in the Garden of Eden. Life in all its fullness with no more pain, tears, suffering or death and dying. That is what I am aiming for, purposed in Christ. I can truly say with Paul “whether I live or die I am happy with either. I can stay on here for your sakes or depart and be with Christ which is FAR BETTER. Dying would be far better but I will stay on here as long as YHWH gives me breath.
Do you know how to correctly say the name YAHWEH? Before I teach you how to say the Name, you ought to know that no Jew with the fear of G*d in them would utter the Name (Ha Shem). Instead they will use the circumlocution Adonai (Lord) as a substitute. There is much more to say about that which I will leave for another time. The right way to utter G*d’s Holy Name is to say the first syllable YAH with an intake of breath and breathe out the second syllable (WEH) with the expelled breath. Why? Because the Ruach of God is all at once Spirit, Breath and Wind which equates with Life. The Spirit of God is the One Who is in you with your first breath and the life force Who leaves you with your last breath. Remarkable!
I would shock my Deeper Bible classes in Indonesia if we talked about this passage in Philippians because I would tell them I am not afraid of dying. They could see that I meant it every time I said it. Simply because I do mean it. I will have no problem if a terrorist tells me he will kill me if I don’t reject or forsake Christ. “Go ahead and kill me! The worst you can do to me is the best you can do for me. You will usher me into the presence of My LORD and SAVIOUR. Go ahead, do me a favour and make my day. But before you do let me talk to you about the reality of life and death and how you can know for certain that you are heaven bound or not.” Students over the years have questioned me about this and wanted to know how I can be so certain. Simply because I have walked with / in the Spirit of God for almost 50 years now. Ever since 10.30 pm on the 19th of August 1973. That’s right, I will reach the 50 year mark in three Spiritual Birthdays. In that time the things I have seen and experienced have convinced me that I am following the Way, the Truth and the Life.
I fully understand how Paul could write what he did above and also why five missionaries and their wives would be willing to sacrifice their lives for the Waorani and why a pastor in I*an would be willing to take the place of another pastor who had been killed for the sake of the Gospel. I could go on and on listing people who have willingly given their lives so that others may come to know the God of All Glory. This is all very real. Not some pie in the sky concept but a very real willingness to follow God no matter what the cost. Why would people be willing to do that? It happens when people fully believe the Truth they claim they believe.
Maybe it is time to re-evaluate the depth of your willingness to follow Him wherever He may lead. It will lead to dying to self but it may lead to the ultimate act of love on behalf of others or the ultimate test of your willingness to Name Jesus as LORD.
If you want a glimpse of your future, don’t look for the size of your dream, but for the size of your sacrifice.Â
Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there’s a difference for me because in that other room I shall be able to see.
The Good News of the Gospel is that the Glorious Creator of the Universe has acted in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection to remove every obstacle between us and Himself so that we may find everlasting joy in living the life God intended.
The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.
Dread of death ends when you know heaven is your true home.
May you live in such a way that your death is just the beginning of your life.